Single-Handed, Nonstop, Around-The-World Sailing Grabs The Spotlight At The New York Vendée Transatlantic Race

Now that Cole Brauer became the first American female in history to complete a solo, nonstop, sailing circumnavigation by the three great capes when she crossed the finish line the Global Offshore Challenge earlier this year, there are way more Americans who are aware of the community of amazing, inspiring, (often French) and maybe even a little crazy solo sailors that race around the world on sailboats.

And now that the New York Vendée Transatlantic Race is just about to start (after a week filled with Times Square selfies, New York Yacht Club parties, sponsor events, last-minute repairs, and plenty of sunny speed runs past the Statue of Liberty), I’m sure even more Americans will be following these special competitors who are hoping to qualify for to compete in the ultimate-non-stop-around-the-world solo-offshore-sailing marathon.

It’s simply called the Vendée Globe. It’s only held every four years. It starts in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. And because it’s one of the most extreme endurance events on the planet, you can’t just rock up to the start line with an IMOCA 60 and compete. In fact, every solo-sailor must first sail thousands of recorded miles in sanctioned events and then be selected by the race committee before being allowed to race.

And while there are many IMOCA events skippers can use to gain qualifying miles, the New York Vendée is last qualifying race for the main event in November. But as anyone who follows this special brand of offshore sailing, every one of the long-distance-solo races that are sailed in crazy, hydrofoil-assisted IMOCA 60’s are more than just another race.

These events bring out the best in the people who compete and provide infinite inspiration for those of us following from home. And the truth is, you don’t even really need to know too much about sailing to appreciate what each sailor must overcome just to keep the boat sailing through sometimes life-threatening conditions.

But don’t just take my word for it. Boris Herrmann became one of the most popular offshore sailors during the previous Vendée Globe and other high-profile offshore races. And as an official Cole Brauer fan, I was excited to Herrmann invited the aspiring Vendee Globe competitor to join his shore team.

I felt a huge appreciation for Cole’s achievements,” said Herrmann last week. “And I know how difficult that was in a Class 40, a boat harder to sail than an IMOCA 60. “It was a personal inspiration to follow her race. And I imagined having her here would give the Vendee Globe a footprint in the U.S. and we hope to see her at the Vendée Globe start in November.”

Stay tuned!